Rourkela: In the steel city, one man’s compassion is ensuring dignity in death for the poorest residents. For the past 15 years, Ramesh Gopalwasia(63) has been providing free firewood for cremation to destitute and underprivileged families at the Vedvyas Mukti Dham crematorium.The genesis of the noble initiative can be traced back to March 2010, when Gopalwasia witnessed a disturbing sight at the crematorium.“I saw two bodies being cremated on river sand, with half-burnt remains visible due to insufficient wood,” recalled Gopalwasia. “That moment changed everything for me.”This experience led him to establish the Uditnagar Morning Club in March 2011, which began with 20 members and has now grown to 50 volunteers. The organisation provides 250 kg of wood, worth around Rs 1,100, for each cremation. So far, they have assisted in the cremation of 2,435 bodies, including several unclaimed ones.The system works through a well-established network. Gopalwasia has shared his contact number across various slums in Rourkela. When a death occurs in a poor family, they contact him with the deceased’s Aadhaar card. After verifying the family’s financial condition, the club arranges for the wood at the crematorium.One particularly moving incident stands out in Gopalwasia’s memory. “We helped a young widow from Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, who had only Rs 200 when her 28-year-old husband, a sponge iron unit worker, died suddenly. Not only did we arrange the cremation, but we also helped her and her two young children return home,” he shared.Sanjay Behera, a local social worker, commended Gopalwasia’s unwavering commitment. “Whenever there’s a death among the underprivileged, Rameshji never fails to help. His service to society is remarkable.”Despite retiring from his business a decade ago, Gopalwasia remains dedicated to the social cause. He personally contributes funds and coordinates with donors to ensure the service continues uninterrupted. “As long as I’m alive, I will continue this service,” he affirms, embodying the spirit of humanitarian service that transcends life and death.Through his work, Gopalwasia ensures that dignity in death isn’t a privilege reserved for the wealthy, but a right available to all, regardless of their financial status.